Conveyer-chain link.



No. 728,972. I PATENTED MAY 26, 1903.

J. L. PITT'MAN. GONVBYER CHAIN LINK.

APPLICATION FILE D EAR. 5, 1903.-

R0 MODEL.

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/ V I I Patented May 26, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN LUTHER PITTMAN, OF DUBAOH, LOUISIANA.

CONV EYER-CHAIN LINK.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N 0. 728,972, dated may 26,1903.

Sorinl No. 146,385. (No model.)

To all-whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN LUTHER PITTMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Dubach, in the parish of Lincoln and State of Louisiana,have invented a new and useful Conveyer-Chain Link, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to conveyer-chains, more particularly to thoseemployed in sawmills for drawing logs into the mill, but which may beemployed in connection with any of the various forms of conveyer-chainsused in the industrial arts.

The chains usually employed for handling logs in sawmills and forsimilar purposes are provided with teeth extending therefrom at suitableintervals and generally pointed to cause them to engage the logs with amore positive grip. The teeth of such chains must be maintained in theirsharpened condition to produce the desired results, and when chainshaving the teeth integral with the links or permanently connectedthereto are employed much valuable time is lost in renewing wornoutlinks or links containing broken or,worn teeth, as it is necessary tosever the holdingpivots and frequently remove the chain.

The principal object of the present invention is to produce a chainhaving detachable and reversible teeth, which may be detached forrenewal or repair without removing the chain or detaching any of thelinks or otherwise disturbing the chain relative to its attachments orthe machinery with which it is connected.

To this end the invention consists in certain novel features ofconstruction, as hereinafter shown and described, and specified in theclaims.

In the drawings illustrative of the inven tion, in which correspondingparts are denoted by like designating characters, Figure 1 is a sideview, Fig. 2 is a plan view, and Fig. 3 is a transverse section, of aportion of a chain with the improvement applied. Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview of one of the links detached, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view ofone of the teeth detached.

The improved device may be applied to any of the ordinary makes ofchains; but for thepurpose of illustration a section of an ordinary formof chain is shown constructed of alternating double or spaced links 10and in termediate single links 11, connected movably by transverse pinsor pintles 12. At suitable intervals certain of the spaced links 10 areprovided, preferably upon their outer surfaces, with spaced transverseprojecting ribs 13 14, each rib provided, respectively, withintermediate overhanging inner ribs 15 16, as shown more clearly inFigs. 2 and 4.

The tooth members are represented at 17 and may be of any desiredconfiguration or size and adapted to fit between the ribs 13 14 andprovided withlongitudinal channels 18 19, fitting the overhanging innerribs 15 16, as shown. The tooth members 17 are each formed with ashoulder 20, engaging one edge of its respective link 10 to strengthenand support the juncture of-the tooth and link. It will be noted thatthe edges of the tooth are firmly supported by the squaresided portionsof the ribs 13 14 the full length of the ribs and the full Width of thelinks 10 and also supported by the shoulder 20, so that all transversepressures or strains are efiiciently resisted and the tooth there- I byvery firmly supported and held in place. It will also be noted that anytendency to lateral movement will be resisted bythe overhanging innerribs, 15 16 engaging the chan nels 18 19, and to still further supportthe tooth in position and prevent it from dropping from the chain arivet or bolt 21 is secured through the tooth and link, as shown. Therib portions 13 15 and 14 16 being arranged at right angles to thelongitudinal axis of the link 10, the tooth may be reversed in position,if desired, as it may be entered into its seat upon the link from eitherside, as will be obvious. This is an important feature of the inventionand greatly simplifies the construction and renders it possible toconstruct the chain links and teeth interchangeable and reversible whendesired.

Any of the teeth 17 may readily be detached when broken or Worn bysimply driving out the rivet 21 and either sharpened and re placed or anew tooth inserted in its place, and the teeth may thus be replaced orrepaired without disturbing any other part of the chain. This is also agreat advantage, as

the life of the chain may thus be prolonged, as the teeth are the partswhich wear out the ICO most readily and are, moreover, comparativelyinexpensive.

It is obvious that the part 17 of the device may be of any desired formor adapted to be employed for any required purpose and that both thelinks and the detachable portions may be modified as to shape and sizewithout departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing anyof its advantages.

With this device also the form of tooth may be readily changed so as toadapt the same chain to elevate or conduct difierent kinds of objects ormaterial, and this is also a material advantage and greatly increasesthe usefulness of the invention.

The teeth may be attached to as many of the links as required toincrease or decrease the intervals between them.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is- 4 1. In a chain, alink having transverse guide-ribs spaced apart and with overhanginginner surfaces, a tooth fitting reversibly between said ribs and'havinglongitudinal channels corresponding to and engaging said overhangingsurfaces of said ribs, and means for connecting said tooth and link,substantially as described. 2. In a chain, a link having transverseguide-ribs spaced apart, and with inwardlyguide-ribs spaced apart andprojecting laterally therefrom and with overhanging inner surfaces, atooth fitting between said ribs and having longitudinal channelscorresponding to and engaging said overhanging surfaces of said ribs,and a bolt or rivet connecting said link and tooth, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed'my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN LUTHER PI'ITMAN.

Witnesses:

L. P. SMITH, WM. W. ADKERSON.

